There Must Be More Than Elections in Life

FTLComm - Tisdale - November 22, 2000

Indeed there is, the question is almost laughable yet when you give it some extended consideration you realise that so much of what we consider important is dependent upon peace, order and good government. Our ability to even discuss issues depends upon our rights as individuals and the things that the Charter guarantees The luxury of being able to be involved or not to be involved is afforded us simply by the system in which we live and which was established through tradition and political conflict that lead us to this point in history. Many elections in the past of lead up to this point from which we view our present and the debates in the past have contributed to what we now accept as the "way things are." Free Trade and NAFTA are realities, unpleasant and crippling to our society, offering us a sixty-four cent dollar and falling standard of living but that debate took place over a decade ago and we now must deal with the legacy of its. The voters of Ontario imposed that regime upon us as they have with so many other things and though we have protested and complained we remain colonial and subservient. Last night as I listened and enjoyed the speeches and the questions it was wonderful to see the people of this community in significant numbers actively taking part in the democratic process. I was proud to be in the company of those people and cherish the idea that what was said and thought was significant and important Voters of this riding to have a choice, the views are diverse enough to reflect a wide range of options. The five candidates each seem with on exception reasonable and would do a fine job representing us in Ottawa. The Canadian Alliance candidate fell far short of being our sort of guy as he used is five minutes at the beginning and two minutes at the end to rant and complain about the present government, his negativism was appalling and in keeping with his character but each of the others was positive, uplifting and honourable men. Democracy as we practice it has its flaws but from what I saw last night we are within the range of acceptable conditions.

This pictures on this page are of this mornings pleasant and positive sunrise.